Cameras – in particular, surveillance cameras – have changed the fabric of our society. They are popping up everywhere to record current events, human behaviors, good and bad, financial transactions, or science on or near other heavenly bodies.

They are widely used as evidence in courtrooms across America to reinforce and hammer home a legal point. The dashboards of our black-and-white police cruisers are watching and recording every traffic stop for the safety of officer and citizen alike.

In our daily lives, being the constant subject of the camera is hard to avoid. Cameras are at every ATM, in every bank, most businesses, parking lots, highway intersections, and many of us now have home security systems. These home systems can be connected easily to the Internet, and homeowners on vacation in Hawaii can watch the front door back home in Dover-Foxcroft in real time. Cameras are used by many retailers to prevent or to prosecute theft.

Long ago, in the 1860s, photographs began appearing to document events on the Civil War battlefields, politicians of the day, and known criminals. The technology to print these images in the newspapers had not yet been developed, and many artisans were employed to carve wood lithographs based on actual photographs for newspaper publication. The policemen in the larger cities would keep photographs of the latest desperadoes in their police caps for reference on the street beat.

Today’s retailers often have large televisions prominently displayed as customers walk into their establishments. The message being conveyed is “Smile, you’re on consumer camera,” or “Yes, we have security cameras in our store; hide our merchandise in your clothing and you will be prosecuted.”

Moreover, the cameras can keep an eye on employee behavior, often accounting for one-third of in-store pilferage losses. Another third is attributed to vendor theft. Retail theft, or shoplifting, can approach 2 percent of a retailer’s sales. It is estimated that there are 1 to 1.2 million retail shoplifting incidents across America each day. In dollars and cents, that is approximately $13 billion per year. We all pay for these thefts in increased prices of goods and services.

Camera technology also has changed greatly. Years ago, the security store cameras were about the size of a breadbox, very visible, and gathering dust high above the sales floor. There often was an ominous red light near the large lens to indicate the camera was working. Today’s security cameras are about the size of your thumb or even much smaller. Many can see in the dark. Many are in color.

Thefts of heavy equipment and other materials at construction sites provide opportunities for surveillance systems to prevent theft. The theft of copper, heavy equipment, and anything else not locked up or nailed down on the job site seems to be fair game for today’s hard-hat crooks. Surveillance cameras have certainly assisted in the apprehension and conviction of these modern day cattle thieves.

Construction companies are using more cameras to protect their interests, and there are often many other interests who have cameras trained on construction sites. There is a wonderful new community resource provided at this publication’s Web site (www.bangornews.com/assets/webcam/webcam.htm) offering a spectacular, crystal clear, live view of the construction of the new Hollywood Slots racino in the Queen City. It is from the vantage point of the BDN’s rooftop, located across the street from the construction site. Every vehicle that stops at the lights at Buck and Main is clearly visible to their “eye in the sky.” Should the bad guys try to pilfer a backhoe or other piece of equipment, the perpetrators will be starring in a movie of their own making. This camera also could help commuters ascertain road conditions come January.

Security cameras are a fact of life to protect people and possessions. Reducing crime, particularly thefts large and small, reduces the cost of doing business and thus lowers prices to the consumer.

This summer’s roadside unattended vegetable stands are a case in point. Here, the buyers put money for their chosen cucumbers in the coffee can “on the honor system,” as the sign says. There now may be a small, nearly invisible webcam installed showing each transaction. This camera may ensure that all transactions are, indeed, truly honorable.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.